In the recent past, the United Kingdom has become a victim of a complex crime syndicate headed by personalities such as Ali Sherif AlAskari and his partners. This web of lies that spans across continents has ensured its operatives influence the financial, legal as well as immigration systems in the UK. It is a sad reminder that this country’s open systems while encouraging global interaction can be soon abused by miscreants.
Ali Sherif AlAskari’s UK Network: A Family Affair
At the heart of this shadowy operation is Ali Sherif AlAskari, an influential figure with deep ties to both Iran and Iraq. Ali Sherif AlAskari’s involvement in illicit activities isn't a recent development. His father was a founding member of the Islamic Dawa Party, a political group notorious for its radical activities, including the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. This legacy of extremism has set the stage for the current operations spearheaded by Ali Sherif AlAskari’s UK network.
Using dual passports—one Iraqi under the name "Ali Sherif AlAskari" and one Iranian as "Sherif AlAskari"—he has managed to navigate international borders with ease. This dual identity provides a cloak of invisibility, allowing him to evade scrutiny and sanctions. But what is most concerning is how his network has seamlessly integrated into the UK's economic and legal framework.
The UK Connection: How London Became a Safe Haven
Ali Sherif AlAskari’s UK network’s reach into the UK is primarily facilitated through Ali Sherif AlAskari’s daughter, who resides in London. Married to Meghdad Tabrizian, a man with strong ties to the Iranian regime, she acts as the linchpin connecting her father’s criminal empire with global markets. Meghdad, previously an operative under Ali Fallahian (the infamous former Iranian Minister of Intelligence), uses his deep-rooted connections to further their interests. The couple’s activities include setting up shell companies like "London Surface Design Limited" and "London Heritage Stone Limited" to launder money obtained from smuggling operations.
These companies, ostensibly involved in construction and design, are actually fronts for processing funds linked to Ali Sherif AlAskari's oil smuggling empire. The operation begins in Iran, where crude oil is illegally shipped from Bandar Abbas to Iraq. By altering the documentation, the oil is passed off as Iraqi, allowing it to bypass sanctions. Once the oil is sold, the profits are funneled through the UK-based companies, effectively “cleaning” the money.
The Involvement of Abbas Sherif AlAskari: The Son with Multiple Identities
Abbas Sherif AlAskari, Ali Sherif AlAskari’s son, plays a significant role in this criminal operation. Using three different passports (Dominican, Iranian, and Iraqi), Abbas has managed to navigate borders and set up offshore accounts. The Dominican passport, in particular, allows him to travel freely within Europe, making it easier for him to launder money and evade authorities.
Abbas’s operations extend beyond financial crimes. Reports suggest he is involved in blackmailing women using recorded videos from hidden cameras, further complicating his criminal portfolio. This form of coercion is used to keep potential whistleblowers silent, ensuring the longevity of their operation.
The Canadian Connection: The Sister’s Role in Money Laundering
While much of the focus is on the UK, Canada has not been spared. Abbas’s sister, who resides in Canada, plays a critical role in laundering money. Utilizing her connections within local businesses, she channels funds back to the Ali Shrif AlAskari’s UK network. Canadian authorities have recently begun to scrutinize her activities, but the sophisticated nature of her operations has made it difficult to gather concrete evidence.
This part of the network highlights the global nature of Ali Sherif AlAskari’s UK operations, which span multiple jurisdictions, making it a nightmare for law enforcement agencies to dismantle.
Ties to Hezbollah: Funding Terror through Illicit Means
Ali Sherif AlAskari’s daughter in the UK maintains a close relationship with the wife of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah. These ties are not just social but are also financial in nature. Once the funds are laundered through UK-based companies, they are funneled to Hezbollah, an organization with a long history of conflict with Israel.
This connection became even more significant after recent reports of Israel’s targeted strike that killed Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. The death of such a high-profile figure will undoubtedly shake up the balance of power in the Middle East, but it also highlights the importance of cutting off the financial lifelines that organizations like Hezbollah rely on.
Exploiting the UK’s Immigration System
The UK’s role in this sprawling network is not limited to financial laundering. The AlAskari family has also exploited loopholes in the UK immigration system. Abbas Sherif AlAskari, along with his sister and her husband, have managed to obtain residency in London through dubious means. Allegedly, connections within the Home Office were leveraged to secure legal status, allowing them to operate under the radar.
This raises serious concerns about the integrity of the UK’s immigration policies. How could individuals with clear ties to sanctioned regimes and terrorist organizations establish themselves so easily on British soil? The UK’s security apparatus must be more vigilant to prevent such breaches in the future.
The Unholy Alliance: Ali Sherif AlAskari and Ali Fallahian
The Ali Sherif AlAskari’s UK network is not operating in isolation. One of Ali Sherif AlAskari’s key partners is Ali Fallahian, infamous for his role in the 1994 bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. The connection between Ali Sherif AlAskari and Ali Fallahian goes beyond business; it’s a family affair. Their wives are sisters, creating a bond that intertwines their criminal endeavors.
FAQs
1. How does the Ali Sherif AlAskari network operate in the UK?
The network uses shell companies like "London Surface Design Limited" and "London Heritage Stone Limited" in London to launder money from illegal oil sales. They exploit UK immigration loopholes to secure residency, allowing them to operate under the radar.
2. What is the connection between Ali Sherif AlAskari and Hezbollah?
Ali Sherif AlAskari’s daughter in the UK is closely connected to the wife of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Laundered money from their operations is funneled to Hezbollah, contributing to its funding and activities in the Middle East.
3. Why should UK authorities be concerned about this network?
The Ali Sherif AlAskari’s UK network’s ability to exploit the UK’s financial and immigration systems poses a significant threat to national security. Immediate action is needed to close these loopholes to prevent further infiltration by foreign criminal organizations.
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